Tinotenda Hove – Amnesty International has sharply condemned the violence that erupted during public hearings on the Constitutional Amendment (No. 3) Bill of 2026, held at the City Sports Centre in Harare on Tuesday, 31 March.

In a statement issued on 1 April, the global human rights watchdog warned that the incidents reflect a deepening deterioration of human rights in Zimbabwe, raising alarm over the safety of citizens participating in national processes.

The organisation said the clashes not only disrupted proceedings but also undermined the very purpose of public consultations, which are meant to allow citizens to freely express their views.

“Amnesty International strongly condemns the violent attacks witnessed during the public hearings held at City Sports Centre in Harare, where perceived opponents of the Constitutional Amendment Bill, as well as journalists covering the event, were physically assaulted and intimidated. Among those attacked was Doug Coltart, who lost his phone and spectacles during the skirmishes,” the statement read.

The organisation described the attacks as a direct assault on democratic principles, warning that such conduct erodes public confidence in governance processes.

“Such callous acts paint a grim picture of the human rights environment in the country, undermine the spirit of genuine consultations, are a blatant attempt to silence dissent, and gravely threaten the rights to freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly,” Amnesty International said.

The group urged authorities to take immediate action to prevent further violence, stressing the importance of safeguarding citizens’ rights during and beyond the consultation process.

“Authorities must take all necessary steps to prevent acts of violence that could deter individuals from freely exercising their human rights and expressing themselves and undermine the integrity of public consultation processes,” the organisation said.

Amnesty International further called on the government to guarantee a safe and inclusive environment for all participants, regardless of their political views.

“Authorities must also ensure a peaceful environment before, during, and after the public hearings by fully respecting, protecting, promoting, and fulfilling the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly, association, and expression for all individuals, regardless of their views,” the statement added.

The organisation also pressed for accountability, demanding swift action against those responsible for the violence.

“We call on Zimbabwe’s authorities to promptly launch a thorough, independent, impartial, transparent, and effective investigation into the incident and ensure that all those responsible are held fully accountable without delay. Impunity for such acts must not be tolerated.”